Megeve - village
Megève is one of our French favourites when it comes to Alpine charm - it is impossible not to arrive and be wowed by one of the prettiest villages in the Alps. The old medieval church is at the heart of the village from where horse-drawn sleighs, freshly loaded with smiling visitors, rattle along the snow-clad cobbled streets. The resort has more than its share of chi chi shops, selling everything from antiques and jewellery to haute couture. Kids love the open-air ice rink right in the heart of town.
When choosing accommodation, it's definitely worth staying near one of the three main lifts. There is a free bus service, but in our experience it could be better. Many chalets and hotels offer their own shuttle service.
The resort is on the main Albertville-Chamonix Road, which thankfully bypasses the centre but can still get clogged up, particularly with weekend traffic.
Accommodation types
Megève offers a good mix of characterful hotels. The elegant Mont Blanc (00 33 450 21 20 02) and rustic Fer à Cheval (00 33 450 21 30 39) are very good. There's a fine selection of 3-star hotels as well, and Megève specialist Stanford Skiing (01603 477 471) has two great value chalet hotels.
Ski/snowboard equipment hire
The top tip for equipment hire is to go to the shop at the base of your nearest lift. They will store your kit overnight so you can saunter back through town unencumbered.
Non-ski activities
The Megève Polo Masters on snow is the highlight of a packed events calendar – you get free entry to the excellent sports centre with your lift pass, and there is a bowling alley, two cinemas, a casino and an outdoor ice rink.
Throw in a day trip to Chamonix or Annecy and you have what we think is one of the best resorts for off-the-slope activities. There's also lots of choice for meeting non-skiers on mountain at lunchtime.
The new sports spa in the congress centre opens in 2013, with a Turkish bath, sauna and jacuzzi.
Childcare
Many of the hotels have their own kindergartens and there is a highly regarded Day Nursery for children from 12 months to 3 years at the foot of the Mont D' Arbois slopes. The ESF has two kids clubs for kids aged 3 and over.
